Energy Conservation & Safety

Check the filter on your air conditioner once a month during the summer and regularly clean or change the air filter on your furnace during the winter.

Insulate hot water heater and pipes.

Lower the thermostat on your hot water heater

Direct sunlight reduces a window air conditioner's efficiency, so place units on the north (or shady) side of your house or shade from the sun.

Set your thermostat at 78° Fahrenheit in the summer and use a fan to circulate the air.

Keep the refrigerator door closed and make sure it has adequate circulation.

Turn off appliances and electronics when not in use.

Keep your light fixtures clean. Dirt can absorb as much as half of the light.

Don't just leave the lights on. Use timers, motion sensors and photo sensors.

Wash only full loads of clothes and dishes - this will save water and electricity.

Plant some trees. Deciduous trees, which lose their leaves in the winter, can help you reduce your energy costs during the summer because their foliage provides shade. Also, in the winter, after their leaves have fallen, the sun's warmth passes unobstructed into your home. Strategically placed shrubs and vines can also reduce the effect of the sun's heat - but remember to keep the shrubs around your meters trimmed so City employees can read your meter easily.